cupboard
Noun: A piece of furniture or a built-in space, typically with a door and shelves, used for storing items such as dishes, food, or clothes.
A "cupboard" is a common storage unit found in homes, especially in kitchens and bedrooms. It is used to keep items organized and out of sight. The word is often used with a preceding noun to specify its purpose (e.g., kitchen cupboard, broom cupboard).
- Basic Usage:
- She took a plate from the kitchen cupboard.
- All the glasses are in the cupboard above the sink.
- We need to clean out the hall cupboard; it's full of old coats.
"A skeleton in the cupboard" (Idiom, chiefly British; US variant: "skeleton in the closet"): A shameful or embarrassing secret about a person or family that is kept hidden.
- Every family has a skeleton in the cupboard they'd rather not discuss.
"Cupboard love" (Idiom): Affection that is shown, especially by a pet or child, in order to get something (like food or a treat), rather than being genuine.
- I think the dog's affection is just cupboard love; he only wags his tail when I'm near his treats.
Airing cupboard (noun, chiefly British): A heated cupboard, often containing a water heater, used for storing towels, bed linen, or for airing clothes.
- Put the damp towels in the airing cupboard to dry.
Broom cupboard (noun): A very small room or closet used for storing cleaning equipment.
- The vacuum cleaner is in the broom cupboard under the stairs.
- Cabinet: A cupboard with shelves or drawers, often used for storing or displaying items.
- Closet: (Chiefly North American) A tall cupboard or a small room for storing clothes or other items.
- Larder: (Chiefly British) A room or large cupboard for storing food.
- To cry cupboard (archaic/informal phrase): To complain of being hungry.
- The children came in from playing and started crying cupboard.
- "From (or out of) the cupboard": Used to indicate something is taken from storage.
- We'll have to get the spare blankets out of the cupboard for our guests.
- a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space